A teenage boy has been charged after an alleged stolen car pursuit through Canberra’s north-west ended in a crash in Higgins.

Police allege a 17-year-old Duffy boy was driving a stolen maroon Ford Falcon when officers spotted it alongside a white Ford Falcon travelling at high speed on Southern Cross Drive in Scullin about 3.30am on Saturday.

When police attempted to stop the vehicles, a pursuit was initiated after both drivers allegedly failed to pull over.

The cars were then seen travelling at high speed along William Hovell Drive and through Scullin, Higgins and Hawker.

About 4am, the maroon Falcon crashed into a tree on Kingsford Smith Drive in Higgins. The driver ran into the backyard of a nearby home.

The second vehicle was found abandoned in Higgins.

Later that morning, a resident on O’Sullivan Street contacted police after finding a male asleep in their backyard. Officers attended and arrested the boy.

Police say the teen, who was subject to bail conditions, has been charged with failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent and trespassing.